Web cutter



July 13, 1948* B. A. HANNEWALD ETAL 2,445,174

WEB CUTTER s sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 8, 1946 FIGS.

Mix/4H Hwed. 0.7? JJ ILT/WM je July 13, 1948 B. A. HANNEWALD TAL 2,445,174

WEB GUTTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8, 1946 Hm D' (PW) HW July 13, 1948- BQ A. HANNEWALD ETAL 2,445,174

WEB CUTTER s sums-sheet s Filed lay 8, 1946 Patented July 13, 1948 WEBCUTTER Burton A. Bannewaid and Harold D. Reimer,

Indianapolis, Ind.,

Missouri assignorlto Company, St. Louis Bemis Bro. Bag

. Mo., a corporation of Application May 3, 1946, Serial No. 668,230

2l Chinn. (Cl, 164-453) This invention relates to web cutters, and, more particularly, to rotary web cutters adapted to sever into equal lengths a continuously travel.- ling web.

Among-the several objects of the invention may be noted-the provision oi' a rotary web cutter for severing into equal lengths a continuous travelling web; the provision of a cutter of the class described for eillciently cutting any one of a wide range of different predeterminable lengths; the provision of a rotary cutter of the class described wherein the cutter is readily selectively operable either upon each revolution thereof or upon a plurality of .revolutions thereof; and the provision of such a cutter which is adapted to be constructed to sever a web of substantial width without undue blade deflection. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the web cutter of this invention particularly illustrating gearing associat'ed therewith;

` Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; FigFig. 3 is vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a partial side elevation similar to Fig. i1 but showing a different arrangement of gear- Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modification of the web cutter of Figs. 1-5, particularly illustrating gearing associated therewith;

Fig. 7 is' an enlarged vertical section through Athe cutter of Fig. 6, similar to Fig. 3, and illustrating an arrangement wherein the web is severed upon each revolution of the cutter; and, Fig. 8 ls a sectionk similar to Fis. 'I but showing an arrangement wherein the web is severed upon every other revolution of the cutter.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to Figs. 1-5, numerals I and 3 designate spaced frame plates wherein are journaled a rotary knife carrier 5. a rotary abutment carrier 1,' and upper and lower rotary cam elements 3 and respectively. Also journaled in the frame plates are feed rolls I3 for feeding a web W to the cutter and draw rolls il for feeding of end discs |1 and I9 cut lengths from the cutter. The rolls are adapted to be driven at suitable speeds by any suitable drive mechanism'(not shown).

The rotary knife carrier comprises a generally cylindrical cage-like structure includinga pair joined by radially offset 2| and 23 and a plurality of spaced intermediate the end and 23 on end discs |1 and I3, respectively, are journalled in suitable bearings in the frame plates. Each of the end and reinforcing discs is notched, as indicated at 3|, to provide guides for a radially reciprocating knife holder 33.

A plurality of cam follower rods 35 are journalled for reciprocation in transverse bearings 31 and 39 provided in bars 2| and 23, respectively.

longitudinal bars reinforcing discs 25 discs. Trunnions 21 A fork 4| is secured to the end of each rod beyond where the rod extends through a bearing 33. The other end of each rod extends through a bearing 31. This other end is actuated by the cam element 9 in a manner to be hereinafter described. The knife holder 33 is secured in the forks 4| at intervals by bolts 43. Grooves 45 are provided in bar 23 to accommodate the forks. The rods 35 are normally biased to retract the knife holder to the inner ends of notches 3|. This is accomplished by compression springs 41 reacting between bar 23 and collars 43 secured on the rods. The forks 4| are slidably guided in notches 3|.

The knife holder 33 carries a. knife blade 5| extending the full length thereof and secured in a groove 53 by set screws 55. The blade projects outward from the holder a distance determined by positioning screws 51, the latter being threaded through the back of the knife .holder into the groove and retained in adjusted position by lock nuts 59. This distance is such that when the knife holder is retracted toits innermost limit the projecting blade is wholly within the periphery of the cage-like rotary knife carrier 5.

The rotary abutment carrier 1 is of the same construction as the rotary knife carrier with the exception that it includes an abutment bar 4| having a longitudinal groove 63 therein instead of a knife holder. Trunnions 65 and 61 on end heads 53 and 1|, respectively, of ment carrier are journalled in suitable bearings in the frame plates and 3. They are on an axis spaced from the axis of the rotary knife carrier a distance somewhat greater than the diameter of the carriers so as to provide a space for passage of the web to be cut.

The abutment bar 6| is mounted for radial reciprocation in the rotary abutment carrier in the same manner in the knife carrier.

15 journalled in bearings 11 and 13 in longithe rotary abut-v as the knife holder is mounted It is secured in forks 13.- v on the ends of reciprocating cam follower rods 3 tudinal bars 9| and'99. Rods 1b are biased to retract the abutment bar to an innermost limit determined by the inner ends ci guide notches 95. This is accomplished by compression springs 91 reacting between bar 9| and collars 99 secured on the rods. The rods 15 extend through the bearings 19 so as to be actuated by cam element in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The rotary knife carrier and the rotary abutment carrier 1 are geared to rotate in unison by gears 9| and 99 keyed on trunnions 21 and 95 respectively. These gears have the same pitch diameters and are so phased that the knife blade 5| engages in rthe groove 99 when the knife holder 93 and the abutment bar are moved radially outward to the Fig. 4 position. A gear 95, driven by the cutter drive motor (not shown) meshes with gear 99 to drive the carriers 5 and 1 (see Fig. l). 1

The upper cam element A9 comprises a plurality o1 collars 91 xed in spaced relation on a cam shaft 99 having end trunnions |0| and |09 journalled in the frame plates i and 9. Each collar includes a cam collar |05 projecting beyond the periphery thereof. The collars are so spaced that the rollers |05 engage the ends of rods 95 upon each revolution of shaft 99 and l move the rods radially to move the knife holder 99 to the position wherein blade 5| projects beyond the periphery of rotary knife carrier 5 (Fig. 4) and into the bar 9|. When rollers |05 ride oi! the ends of rods 95, the springs 91 bias the rods and knife holder to retracted positions.

Trunnions 21 and |0| project beyond the frame plate I. A spur gear |01 is keyed upon the projecting end of trunnion 21. A gear cluster comprising a small spur gear |09 having the same number of teeth as gear |01 and a large spur gear having twice as many teeth as gear |01 is keyed on the projecting end of trunnion |0|. As illustrated in Fig. 1, an idler change gear ||3 is in mesh with gears |01 and so that cam shaft 99 and cam rollers |05 are driven at half the speed of the rotary knife carrier 5. The idler gear is rotary on the end of an arm ||5 pivoted at ||1 on frame plate and may be removed and replaced by an idler gear ||9 meshing with gears |01 and |09 so as to provide a 1:1 drive ratio between the rotary knife carrier 5 and the rotary cam element 9 (Fig. 5).

The lower cam element is identical with the upper cam element and comprises collars |23 on cam shaft |25 having end trunnions |21 and |29. Each collar includes a cam roller |3| which engages a rod 15 upon each revolution of shaft |25 to move the `abutment bar 6| to the position wherein it projects beyond the periphery of the rotary abutment carrier 1 (Fig. 4). When cam rollers |9| ride oil the ends of rods 15, the springs I1 lbias the rods and abutment bar to retracted position.

idler gear is rotatable on the end of an arm Ill pivoted at |49 on frame plate and may be removed and replaced by an idler gear (not shown), corresponding to idler gear lill, meshing with gears |99 and |95 to provide a 1:1 drive ratio between the rotary abutment carrier i and the rotary cam element il.

The cam rollers |05 and |9| are phased to engage rods and 15, respectively, to move the rods toward each other when the knife holder 99 and the abutment bar 5| reach the mating position shown -in Fig. 4. Buch engagement occurs upon each revolution of the rotary knife and abutment carriers when a 1:1 drive ratio is established between these carriers and the cam shafts (Fig. 5) or upon two revolutions of the carriers when a 2:1 drive ratio is established v(Fig. 1).

Operation is .as follows:

Assume that it is desired to cut lengths of web approximately equal to the circumference of the rotary knife and abutment carriers 5 and 1. Idler gear ||9 will be in mesh with gears |01 and |09 and a similar idler gear will be in mesh with gears |99 and |95 to establish a 1:1 drive ratio between the carriers 5 and 1 and the cam shafts 99 and |25 (Fig. 5). The speed of feed rolls i3 and |5 will be made such as to feed the web between the carriers 5 and 1 at a linear velocity equal to the tangential velocity of the periphery of the carriers.

Assuming that the web has just been severed. the parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 4, wherein the knife blade 5| has been advanced by cam rollers |05 into the groove 93 in abutment bar 5I, and the abutment bar has been advanced by cam rollers |9| into position to cooperate with the blade. 'I'he rotary knife carrier 5 rotates clockwise, the rotary abutment carrier 1 rotates counterclockwise, and the web travels to the left as viewed in Fig. 4. As the carriers continue to rotate, the cam rollers |05 and |9| rotate in unison therewith and ride off the ends of rods 95 and 15, respectively. The springs 41 and 01 retractthe knife holder 99 and abutment bar 6| to their innermost limits. When the carriers 5 and 1 have completed one revolution, the cam rollers |05 and |l9| have also completed one revolution and again engage rods 95 and 15 to move the knife holder 93 and the abutment bar 5| to the Fig. 4 position. In this position blade 5| projects into groove 93 to'sever the web. Draw rolls |5 thereupon draw the cut length away :from the cutter. Feed rolls i9 feed more web between the carriers 5 and 1. Thus the web is severed into equal lengths in a continuous operation.

I1 it is desired to out lengths less than the periphery of the carriers 5 and 1, the speed of feed rolls I9 and l5 is reduced to feed the web through the cutter more slowly while maintaining the same speed of carriers 5 and 1. While the web will be severed upon each revolution of the carriers, the length of web fed therebetween during the interval between severing. operations will be reduced, so that any desired length shorter than the periphery of the carriers may be cut off.

If it is desired to cut lengths longer than the periphery of the carriers 5 and 1, the idler gears above described are removed and replaced by idler gear ||9 meshing with gears |01 and and idler gear |99 meshing with gears |99 and |91 (Fig. 1). This establishes the 2:1 drive ratio between the carriers 5 and 1 and the cam shafts. The latter rotate at halfA the speed of the carriers. -Assuming that the web has just been severed, and the parts are in the Fig. 4 position, the rotary knife carrier 5 and the rotary abutment carrier 1 continue rotation clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, from that position through two revolutions before the cam rollers |05 and |3| complete one revolution and return to the position wherein they engage rods 35 and 15 to actuate the knife blade and abutment bar. Thus the interval between severing operations is twice that in the case of the 1:1 drive ratio, and. for a given web speed, lengths of web twice as long as in the first case are cut. It will be apparent that with the 2:1 drive ratio, differentpredetermined lengths may be cut by adjusting the speed of feed rolls |3 and I5.

The rotary web cutter is particularly useful to cut bag tubing into bag lengths. The web in such a case comprises a continuous paper tube. In practice, the cutter is designed to cut off bag lengths from approximately ten inches to fortytwo inches long. For lengths from ten inches to twenty-five inches, the 1:1 drive ratio between the carriers 5 and 1 and the cam shafts 39 and |25 is established. For lengths over twenty-five inches, the 2:1 drive ratio between the carriers and the cam shafts is established. The carriers have a periphery of approximately twenty-five inches.

Thus, the rotary web cutter is adapted to cut a wide range of lengths simply by changing the drive ratio between the rotary knife and abutment carriers 5 and 1 and the cam elements 3 and and, if necessary, the speed of travel of the web. It will be apparent that other drive ratios such as 3:1 or 4:1 may be established by providing additional spur gears on trunnions and |01, or by other suitable geared connections.

The rotary web cutter of Figs. 1-5 is entirely satisfactory if high speed operation ofthe rotary knife and abutment carriers is not essential. The rotaryknife carrier and the cam element 9 rotate in the same direction (clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3). Similarly, the rotary abutment carrier 1 and the cam element rotate in the same direction (counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 3). Consequently, when cam rollers |05 strike the ends of the follower rods 35 these elements are travelling in opposite tangential directions. Similarly, when cam rollers |3| strike the ends of the follower rods 15 these elements are travelling in opposite tangential directions. For example, rollers |05 are travelling lto the left and the ends of rods 35 are travelling to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3. The cam rollers therefore rapidly engage and disengage the follower rods and cause a rapid reciprocation of the knife and abutment bar. At high angular velocities of the rotary knife and abutment carriers and cam elements, such action may be less desirable because of increased wear oi' the parts.

Figs. 6-8 illustrate a modification adapted for high speed operation wherein the cam rollers strike the follower rods while travelling in the same tangential direction. This modification corresponds to that shown in Figs. 1-5 except for modifications in the gearing connections between the rotary knife and abutment carriers and cam elements, and in the arrangement of the cam rollers upon the cam elements. It includes rotary knife and abutment carriers 5 and 1 and cam elements 9 and as in Figs. 1-5, the carriers 5 and 1 being geared to rotate in unison by gears 0| and 33 and driven by gear 95. Cam element '3. however, is geared directly to the rotary knife carrier 5 to rotate at half the speed of carrier 5. This is accomplished by providing .a spur gear |5| on trunnion- 21 meshing with gear Y|55 on trunnion 0|. Gear |53 has twice the pitch diameter and twice the number of teeth of gear |5|. Similarly, cam element is geared directly to the rotary abutment carrier to rotate at half the speed' of carrier This is accomplished by providing a spur gear |55 on trunnion 55 meshing with gear |51 on trunnion |21. Gear |51 has twice the pitch diameter and twice the number of teeth of gear |55.

The upper cam element 9 is in all respects like that of Figs. 1-5, except that the collars 51 are replaced by collars |55 each of which has two diametrically opposed cam rollers |5| and |53 thereon. Each of rollers |5| and |53 is detachably journaled in the collar solthat one or the other of these rollers may be removed. The lower cam element is in all respects like that of Figs. l-5, except that the collars'l23 are replaced by coliars |55 each of which has two diametrically opposed cam rollers |51 and |55 thereon. Each of rollers 4|51 and |53 is detachably journaled in the collar so that one or the other of these rollers may be removed. The cam rollers may be detachably journaled in the collars as, for example, by having the rollers rotatably mounted on shafts |1| which are detachably secured in the collars by set screws |13.

In the Figs. 6-8 modification, the rotary knife carrier 5 and the cam element 9 rotate in opposite directions because they are directly geared by gears |5| and |53. Similarly, the rotary abutment carrier 1 and the cam element rotate in opposite directions because they are. directly geared by gears |55 and |51. Consequently, when cam rollers |5| or |53 strike the ends of the follower rods 35 these elements are travelling in Operation of the Figs. 6-8 modification is as follows:

Assume that it is desired to cut bag lengths twenty-five inches long. Both sets of cam rollers |5| and |53 are connected in the collars |50 (Fig. '7). Similarly, both sets of rollers |51 and |55 are connected in the collars |55. The speed of the feed rolls I3 and I5 is made such as to feed the web between the carriers 5 and 1 at a linear velocity equal to the tangential velocity of the periphery of the carriers. Cam elements 3 and I| rotate at half the speed of the carriers 5 and 1, but since there are two diametrically opposed sets of cam rollers in each cam element the knife 5I and abutment bar 5| are actuated upon each revolution of the carriers to sever the web into lengths equal to the periphery of the carriers. Cam rollers |5| and |53 engage follower rods 35 upon each half-revolution of cam element 0 and cam rollers |51 and |58 engage follower rods 15 upon each half-revolution of cam element The operation is analogous to the operation of the Fig. 3 cutter with a 1:1 drive ratio. If it is desired to cut lengths `less than twenty-live inches, the speed of feed rolls I3 and I5 is correspondingly reduced.

ity-flve inches, the set of cam rollers lil and the set of cam rollers lil are removed (Fig. 8). As before, cam elements I and Ii rotate at half the speed of the carriers l and 1, and since there is only one set of rollerson each cam element the knife and abutment bar are actuated upon every other revolution of the carriers rather than upon each revolution. This operation is analogous to the operation of the Fig. 3 cutter with a 2:1 drive ratio. Different predetermined lengths longer than twenty-five inches may be cut by adjusting the speed of feed rolls I3 and I5.

A particular advantage of the construction of both forms of web cutter is that forces are applied to the knife to drive it through theV web at relatively closely spaced points along its entire length. The rods 35 are secured to the knife holder 33 at relatively closely spaced intervals and support the holder at such intervals throughout its length. As distinguished from constructions wherein the knife is supported and operated only at its ends, this invention provides a rigid, steady cutter which may be of substantial width to sever relatively wide webs. 'I'his is because it permits the use of a long knife. Where, as heretofore, the knife is supported and actuated only at its ends, the length of a suillciently rigid knife is limited, due to the absence of intermediate supports and operating means. 'Ihe full width of the cutter of this invention is not illustrated in Fig. 2, the view being broken for convenience in presentation in small space, but it will be understood that the cutter may be of such width that the carriers I and 1 include four or more of the rods I5 and 15.

It will be clear that the objects of the invention will be obtained by any multiplicityof cam follower means in the carriers having commonl attachments to a single knife and extending substantially along the entire length of the knife. Also, the group of ca-m rollers |05 are like a single cam extending throughout a substantial length for engaging all of the followers.

Althoughthe knife blades and carriers as shown in the drawings are exactly axially located, that is, upon elements of imaginary cylinders, it will be understood that they may be formed helically, that is, along a'helix on such a cylinder. The followers such as 35 would then be helically arranged, and the cam elements |05 helically phased. These would all be broadly equivalents.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not ina limiting sense.

We claim: I

1. A rotary cutter comprising a rotary elongate knife carrier, an elongate knife extending substantially axially in the carrier and mounted therein for radial movement, a plurality of followers attached to the knife and spaced throughout its length, a common rotary cam means for simultaneously operating al1 of said followers, and a change gear connection between the rotary carrierv and the rotary cam means.

2. A cutter comprising a rotary knife carrier, an elongate guide in the carrier, an elongate knife in the guide which is movable substantially radially at one peripheral portion of the carrier, a plurality of followers attached to the knife,

guides in the carrier for said followers, the followers having operating extensions from an opposite peripheral portion of the carrier, means biasing the followers to draw the knife into the carrier and to expose said extensions for operation, common rotary cam means adjacent to the carrier and engageable simultaneously with all of said extensions, and driving means between an opposite peripheral portion of the carrier,v

means biasing the followers to draw the knife finto the carrier and to expose said extensions for operation, common cam means rotary on a parallel axis and adjacent to the carrier and engageable simultaneously with all of said extensions, and connecting driving means between the carrier and said common cam means adapted to phase their rotations so that the followers are engageable intermittently by the common cam means.

4. A cutter comprising a knife carrier rotary on one axis, an elongate guide in the carrier, an elongate knifein the guide which is movable substantially radially at one peripheral portion of the carrier, a plurality of followers attached to the knife, guides in the carrier for said followers, the followers having operating extensions from an opposite peripheral portion of the carrier, means biasing the followers to draw the knife into the carrier and to expose saidextensions for operation, common rotary cam means rotary on a parallel axis and adjacent to the carrier and engageable simultaneously with all of said extensions, connecting driving means between the carrier and said common cam means, adapted to phase their rotations so that the followers are engaged intermittently by the common cam means, 'and means in said driving means for changing the phasing of the carrier and the cam means. 4

5. A cutter comprising a rotary knife support and a, rotary cam support, 'a mechanism in the knife support biased to hold the knife in a retracted position with respect to its support and having a follower element located in a protruding position when the knife is` retracted, a cam on the rotary cam support engageable with said follower element for said mechanism against its bias to protrude the knife, and a driving gear between the rotary knife support and the rotary cam support -adapted to phase their rotations so that the cam and the protruding element cooperate cyclically.

6. A cutter comprising a rotary knife support and a rotary cam support, a mechanism in the knife support biased to hold the knife in a retracted position and havinga follower element located in a protruding position when the knife is retracted, a cam on the rotary cam support engageable with said follower element for said mechanism 'against its bias to protrude the knife, and a changeable gear drive between the rotary knife support and the rotary cam support adapted selectively to phase their rotations so that the cam and the protruding element cooperate cyclically according to selectable timing.

7. A cutter comprising a rotary knife support and a rotary cam support, a sliding mechanism in the knife support biased to hold the knife in a retracted position and having a follower element located in a radially opposite protruding between the rotary knife support and the rotaryv cam support adapted to phase their rotations so that the cam and the protruding element cooperate cyclically.

8. A rotary web cutter adapted to sever a travelling web into lengths, comprising a rotary knife carrier, a knife mounted for movement in said carrier between a position wherein it is disposed within the periphery of said carrier and a position wherein it projects beyond the periphery, means for moving said knife comprising a plurality of cam followers secured thereto at spaced intervals along its length, common cam means for intermittently operating said followers, abutment means cooperable with said `knife in its projected position for severing the web, said cam means comprising commonly rotary cams adapted to engage said followers upon revolution of said cam meansQand means for driving said cams at one of a plurality of different drive ratios as related to said carrier.

9. A rotary web cutter adapted to, sever a travelling web into lengths. comprising arotary knife carrier, a knife mounted for radial reciprocation in said carrier between a position wherein it is disposed within the periphery of the carrier and a position wherein it projects beyond the periphery, means for reciprocating said knife comprising a plurality of cam followers secured thereto at spaced intervals along its length, cam means for intermittently operating said followers, rotary abutment means cooperable with said knife in its projected position for severing the web, said cam means comprising rotary cams adapted to engage said followers upon revolution of said cams, and means for driving said cams at one of a plurality of different drive ratios as related to said carrier.

10. A rotary web cutter adapted to sever a travelling web into lengths, comprising a rotary knife carrier having a. plurality of axially spaced transverse bearings therein, a cam follower rod reciprocable in each bearing, one end of each rod being secured to a knife, said rods and knife being reciprocable between a rst position wherein the knife is disposed within the periphery of the carrier and the other ends of said rods project substantially beyond said periphery and a second position wherein the knife projects beyond the periphery of the carrier, means for biasing said rods and knife to said first position, cam means adapted intermittently to engage said projecting ends of the rods to move said knife to said second position, and abutment means cooperable with said knife in said second position for severing the web. Y

11. A rotary web cutter adapted to sever a travelling web into lengths, comprising a rotary knife carrier having a plurality of axially spaced transverse bearings therein, a .cam follower rod reciprocable in each bearing, one end of each rod being secured to a knife, said rods and knife being reciprocable between a first position Y wherein the knife is disposed within the periphery of the carrier and the other ends of said rods project substantially beyond said periphery and a second position wherein the knife projects beyond the periphery of the carrier, means for biasing said rods and knife to said first position, cam

means adapted intermittently to engage said projecting ends of the rods'to move said knife to said second position, abutment means cooperable with said knife in said second position for severing the web, said cam means comprising rotary cams adapted to engage said rods upon each revolution ofthe cams, and means for driving said cams at one of a plurality of different drive ratios as related to said carrier.

12. A rotary web cutter adapted to sever a travelling web into lengths, comprising a rotary knife, a rotary abutment carrier, an abutment bar mounted for movement in said carrier between a position wherein it is substantially within the periphery of said carrier and a position wherein it projects beyond said periphery into cooperable relation with said knife to sever the web, means for moving said abutment bar comprising a plurality of cam followers secured thereto at spaced intervals along its length, rotary cam means for intermittently operating said followers, said cam means being adapted to engage said followers upon each revolution of said cams, and

means for driving said cams at one of a plurality l of different drive ratios as related to said carrier.

i3. A rotary web cutter adapted to sever a travelling web into lengths, comprising a rotary knife, a rotary abutment carrier. an abutment bar mounted for radial reciprocation in said carrier between a position wherein it is substantially within the .periphery of said carrier and a position wherein it projects beyond said periphery into cooperable relation with said knife to sever the web, means for reciprocating said abutment bar comprising a plurality of cam followers secured thereto at spaced intervals along its length, cam means for intermittently operating said followers, said cam means comprising rotary cams adapted to engage said followers upon revolution of said cams, and means for driving said cams at one of a plurality of different drive ratios as related to said carrier. t

l 14. A rotary web cutter adapted to sever a travelling web into lengths, comprising a rotary knife, a rotary abutment carrier having a plurality of axially spaced transverse bearings therein,- a cam follower rod reciprocable in each bearing, one end of each rod being secured to: a grooved abutment bar, said rods and bar being reciprocable between a first position wherein the bar is substantially within the periphery of the rotary abutment carrier and the other ends of the rods project substantially beyond said periphery and a second position wherein the Ibar projects beyond said periphery and the knife may enter the groove in said bar to sever the web, means for biasing said bar to said first position, and cam means adapted intermittently to engage said projecting ends of the rods to move said bar to said second position.

15. A rotary web cutter adapted to sever a travelling web into lengths, comprising a rotary knife, a rotary abutment carrier having a plurality of axially spaced transverse bearings therein, a cam follower rod reciprocable in each bearing, one end of each rod being secured to a grooved abutment bar, said rods and bar being reciprocable between a first position wherein the bar is substantially within the periphery of the rotary abutment carrier and the other ends of the rodsv project substantiallyl beyond said periphery and a second position wherein the bar projects beyond said periphery and the knife may enter the groove in said bar to sever the web, means for biasing said bar to said iirst position, cam means adapted intermittently to engage said projecting ends of the rods to move said bar to said second posi- Jtion. said cam means comprising rotary cams adapted to engage said rods upon each revolution of the cams. and means for driving said cams at one of. a plurality of different drive ratios as related to said carrier.

16. A rotary web cutter adapted to sever a travelling web into lengths, comprising a rotary knife carrier, a knife mounted for movement in said carrier between a position wherein it projects beyond the periphery of said carrier and a position wherein it is disposed within said -periphery, a rotary abutment carrier, a grooved abutment bar mounted for movement in said abutment carrier Ibetween a projected position wherein its groove is adapted to receive the projected knife and a retracted position substantially within the periphery of said abutment carrier, means for moving said knife comprising a plurality of cam followers secured thereto at spaced intervals alongits length, cam means for intermittently operating said followers, means for moving said abutment 4bar comprising a plurality of cam followers secured thereto at spaced intervals along its length, cam means for intermittently operating said last-named followers. each of said cam means comprising rotary cams adapted to engage the related followers upon each revolution of the cams, and means for driving said cams at one of a plurality of different drive ratios as related to said carriers. 17. A rotary web cutter adapted to sever a travelling web into lengths, comprising a rotary knife carrier, a knife mounted for radial reciprocation in said carrier between a position wherein it projects beyond the periphery of saidcarrier and a .position wherein it is disposed within said periphery, a rotary abutment carrier, a grooved abutment bar mounted for radial reciprocation in said abutment carrier between a projected position wherein its groove is adapted to receive the projected knife and a retracted position substantially within the periphery of said abutment carrier, means for reciprocating said knife comprising a plurality of cam followers secured thereto at spaced intervals along its length, cam means for intermittently operating said followers, means for reciprocating said abutment bar comprising a plurality of cam followers secured thereto at spaced intervals along its length, cam means for intermittently operating said last-named followers, each of said cam means comprising rotary cams adapted to engage the related followers upon each revolution of the cams, and means for driving said cams at one of a plurality of different drive ratios as related to said carrier.

-18. A rotary cutter comprising a rotary elongate knife carrier, an elongate knife extending substantially axially in the carrier and mounted therein for radial movement, a plurality of followers attached to the knife and spaced throughout its length, a common rotary cam means for simultaneously operating all of said followers, and a direct reduction gear connection between said carrier and the cam means whereby said cam means rotates in the direction opposite to that of the carrier and at reduced speed, said cam means comprising a .plurality of sets of cams phased to operate said follower upon each revol2 lution of said carrier, at least one of said sets of cams being detachable.

19. A rotary cutter comprising a rotary elongate knife carrier, an elongate knife extending substantially axially in the carrier and mounted therein for radial movement, a plurality of followers attached to the knife and spaced throughout its length, a common rotary cam. means for simultaneously operating all of said followers, and a direct 2:1 reduction gear connection between said carrler and cam means whereby said cam means rotates in the direction opposite to that of the carrier and at half its speed, said cam means comprising two diametrically opposed sets of cams for operating said followers upon each revolution of said carrier. at least one of said sets of cams being detachable.

20. A rotary cutter comprising a rotary knife.l`

a rotary elongate abutment carrier, an elongate abutment bar extending substantially axially in said carrier and mounted therein for radial movement between a position wherein it is substantially Within the periphery of said carrier and a position wherein it projects beyond said periphery into cooperable relation with said knife to sever the web, a 'plurality of followers attached to said bar and spaced throughout its length, a commonrotaryv cam means for simultaneously operating all of said followers, and a direct reduction gear connection between said carrier and cam means whereby said cam means rotates in the direction opposite to that of the carrier andl at reduced speed, said cam means comprising a plurality of sets of cams phased to Operate said followers upon each .revolution of said carrier, at least one of said sets of cams being detachable.

21. A rotary cutter comprising a rotary knife. a rotary elongate abutment. carrier, an elongate abutment bar extending substantially axially in said carrier and mounted therein for radial movement between a position wherein it is "substantially within the periphery of said carrier and a position wherein it projects beyond said periphery into cooperable relation with said knife to sever the web, a plurality of followers ,attached to said bar and spaced throughout its length, a common rotary cam means for simultaneously operating all of said followers, and a direct 2:1 reduction gear connection between said carrier and cam means whereby said cam means rotates in the direction opposite to that of the carrier and at half its speed, said cam means comprising two diametrically opposed'sets of cams for operating said followers upon each revolution of said carrier, at least one of said sets of cams being detachable.

BURTON A. HANNEWALD.

HAROLD D. REIMER;

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the ille of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Number l Germany Aug. 22, 1925` 

